Help in North Dakota
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 20 places in North Dakota, most of them in Fargo, Grand Forks and Bismarck, plus 13 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people after prison or jail (11) and leaving trafficking (11).
FirstLink 211 Helpline
Free, confidential 24-hour helpline covering all of North Dakota and parts of Minnesota. Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211 to get referrals for food, rent and utility aid, shelter, and other local help; FirstLink also answers 988 calls locally.
Legal Services of North Dakota
Free civil legal help for low-income and older North Dakotans, including housing and eviction, utility shutoffs, public benefits, family law, consumer problems, and crime victim compensation. Apply online or by phone during intake hours; LSND never charges clients.
YWCA Cass Clay Emergency Shelter
Emergency shelter and longer-term housing program for women and children escaping violence, homelessness, or crisis in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Call the crisis line to ask about a bed.
Northlands Rescue Mission
Christian emergency shelter in Grand Forks for homeless adults and families, with meals, food boxes, addiction support, and housing placement help. Check in at the front office weekday afternoons; the mission does not admit people with outstanding warrants or registered sex offenders.
Youthworks Fargo
Youth agency with street outreach and a drop-in center for ages 15–22, transitional housing for homeless young adults 18–24 (up to 18 months in a furnished apartment with counseling and job help), Parenting Pathways for pregnant or parenting 18–21-year-olds, and anti-trafficking case management with emergency shelter for survivors through age 22.
Youthworks Bismarck
Bismarck site offering transitional living and Parenting Pathways housing for homeless young adults 18–24, a Youth & Family Engagement Center with same-day drop-in for ages 10–17, a runaway shelter, and anti-trafficking and crime-victim case management for ages 13–24.
North Dakota Vital Records
State office that issues certified copies of North Dakota birth records. Order online or by mail, or schedule an appointment in advance; processing takes 5 to 7 business days once the request is received.
North Dakota Non-Driver ID Card
State ID card available at any age from NDDOT Driver License sites. Appointments are required; bring a certified birth certificate or valid passport, your Social Security number, any legal name-change documents, and proof of your North Dakota address.
ND Apply for Help (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF)
North Dakota's single portal for SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, TANF, LIHEAP heating help, and child care assistance. Apply through the online Self-Service Portal or print the SFN 405 application and return it to the human service zone office for your county.
Office of Refugee Services
State refugee resettlement office administering Refugee Cash Assistance, Refugee Medical Assistance, medical screening, English language learning, immigration services, virtual case management, and the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program.
National lines that work in North Dakota
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
Start right where you are
Each program has a step-by-step checklist for the first 72 hours, 30 days, and 90 days, so you always know your next step.